An antenna having a reflector mounted on a rigid boom uses a line feed or phased array feed to operate in the Ka band with frequencies up to 36 gigahertz while maintaining the ability to operate at frequencies down to L-Band of 1-2 GHz.

A multiple-feed antenna system includes a first feed configured to communicate signals in a first frequency range of a plurality of frequency ranges and a second feed configured to communicate signals in a second frequency range of the plurality of frequency ranges. A subreflector assembly is configured to move among multiple positions that include a first position and a second position. When the subreflector assembly is in the first position, a first element of the subreflector assembly redirects a signal reflected by a primary reflector to the first feed. When the subreflector assembly is in the second position, a second element of the subreflector assembly redirects the signal reflected by the primary reflector to the second feed.

This application provides a feed apparatus, a dual-band microwave antenna, and a dual-band antenna device. The feed apparatus includes a low-frequency feed and a high-frequency feed. The high-frequency feed is embedded into the low-frequency feed. The low-frequency feed includes a plurality of low-frequency array elements arranged in an array. The high-frequency feed includes a plurality of high-frequency array elements arranged in an array. At least one high-frequency array element is embedded into the low-frequency array element, and the low-frequency array element and each high-frequency array element embedded into the low-frequency array element have a common waveguide wall.

A method of forming a feed cone for a microwave antenna includes the steps of: providing a digitized design for a feed cone, the feed cone comprising a plurality of geometric features that vary in area along an axial dimension of the feed cone; subdividing the digitized design into a plurality of thin strata stacked in the thickness dimension; forming a thin layer of material corresponding to one of the thin strata; fixing the thin layer of material; and repeating steps (c) and (d) to form a feed cone.

A microwave antenna includes an antenna housing and a radome fabric attached to the housing, which is configured to pass microwave electromagnetic signals therethrough. The radome fabric has an opening formed therein. A vent component is attached to the radome fabric so as to cover the opening in the radome fabric when the radome fabric is viewed from an elevation view in a direction parallel to an axis extending through and perpendicular to the opening in the radome fabric. The vent component is configured to allow air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.

A microwave antenna includes an antenna housing and a radome fabric attached to the housing, which is configured to pass microwave electromagnetic signals therethrough. The radome fabric has an opening formed therein. A vent component is attached to the radome fabric so as to cover the opening in the radome fabric when the radome fabric is viewed from an elevation view in a direction parallel to an axis extending through and perpendicular to the opening in the radome fabric. The vent component is configured to allow air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.

The antenna system and the method receive signals having radio frequencies in a plurality of radio frequency bands. The antenna system includes a support assembly, a primary reflector that is coupled to the support assembly, a feed assembly that is movably coupled to the support assembly, and a first feed and a second feed fixedly coupled to the feed assembly. The first feed and the second feed are configured to communicate RF signals in a first frequency band and a second frequency band, respectively, of the plurality of frequency bands. The antenna system also includes a first actuator that is configured to move the feed assembly from a first feed assembly position, where the first feed is positioned along a first signal path with the primary reflector, to a second feed assembly position, where the second feed is positioned along a second signal path with the primary reflector.

The antenna system and the method receive signals having radio frequencies in a plurality of radio frequency bands. The antenna system includes a support assembly, a primary reflector that is coupled to the support assembly, a feed assembly that is movably coupled to the support assembly, and a first feed and a second feed fixedly coupled to the feed assembly. The first feed and the second feed are configured to communicate RF signals in a first frequency band and a second frequency band, respectively, of the plurality of frequency bands. The antenna system also includes a first actuator that is configured to move the feed assembly from a first feed assembly position, where the first feed is positioned along a first signal path with the primary reflector, to a second feed assembly position, where the second feed is positioned along a second signal path with the primary reflector.

Apparatus for dual-band antenna and communications tower comprising such apparatus are provided. The apparatus comprises a first part (202) comprising first and second propagation paths configured to selectively propagate signals of a first frequency with either a first polarization state or a second polarization state, a transition part (204) rotatable between first and second transition positions to selectively propagate signals of a second frequency along the second signal path with the first polarisation state when in the first transition position and with the second polarisation state when in the second transition position and a rotator part rotatable between first and second rotator positions. Wherein, the rotator part is configured to orientate the polarisation of signals in the second signal path in order to couple the second signal path to an interface, and allow propagation of signals in the first signal path in either the first or second rotator positions.

A three-axis spacecraft including a spacecraft body including first and second opposing radiator/equipment panels, first and second opposing mounting panels, an earth deck and a zenith deck. The zenith deck faces the Earth when the spacecraft is on orbit and the first and second mounting panels face an east and west direction relative to the Earth when the spacecraft is on orbit. The spacecraft further includes a mounting cylinder extending through the spacecraft body and out of the first and second mounting panels.